England captain Sarah Hunter wants her team to continue the summer feel-good factor surrounding women’s sport in the country when they tackle Rugby World Cup semi-final opponents France on Tuesday.

Victory for World Cup holders England at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium would take them into the final on Saturday against New Zealand or the United States.

The rugby team’s glory tilt comes just a month after England were crowned women’s cricket world champions, while the country’s female footballers reached the European Championships semi-finals 18 days ago.

“We were big followers of the women’s cricket when we were back in camp in England,” said Hunter, who is set to win her 97th cap. “When we had a bit of down-time, we would find a laptop and crowd around and watch it.

“A few of us went to the games, and we were certainly supporting them all the way through the competition. It was fantastic, especially the way they won the games. It had everyone on the edge of their seats, and to see them do it under immense pressure at a home World Cup was fantastic.

“It is something we want to carry on and build on the success of English women’s sport. The footballers did really well out at the Euros, too, and we hope we can just be a part of that.”

Like England, France swept through their group with a 100 per cent record, which included them ending host nation Ireland’s semi-final hopes and crushing Australia 48-0.

“France have been impressive,” Hunter added. “They came to the World Cup in great form and have done exactly what we’ve done – won all three pool games and reached the semi-finals. The French have always had a very strong pack, and they have certainly come to the party at this World Cup.

“We know we have to be better than we have been, and when you get into the semi-finals it is literally knockout rugby. It is going to be really exciting to be part of it, and hopefully we, as players, can live up to that and produce a good performance.”